Something a Little Different

Not that I do not wish to write today on economics, that really jazzes me up, but today is Memorial Day, and without the ongoing work and sacrifice of our Soldiers, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and all the National Guards and Reserves, we would not be free to pursue economic freedom.

So a slight pause to say thank you.  And I wish to remember several people close to me today.  My Grandfather Leo Stratmann, served in the Army in WWI, our family was not long in this country at that point, and he had distant relatives on the other side of the lines.  Thanks also to Leonard Wester, a Marine in WWII.  I'm not sure about you, I have never met a Marine that I didn't like.  After the war Leonard built a good life for he and his wife, they had no children so let me say thanks!  Both Leo and Leonard are buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.  My nephew, Jason Harl is currently serving in the Army, he and his family have made a commitment, thanks Jason!

It isn't totally about the military, at least for me, today.  My other Grandfather, Anthony Heller, was too old to serve in WWII and too young for WWI.  He spent his life in shoes.  From the age of 8 he went to work in the shoe factories in St. Louis to help support his family after his Dad died.  By WWII he was a Union Organizer and worked with the employers to make sure our soldiers had boots.  In the 1950's he helped to set up factories in Puerto Rico.  One story he told me was that in the 1950's a colleague at the Union offered him a Communist Party membership card, he refused in a very impolite manner.  You see even Union members are Patriots.  He is why I developed an interest in Economics.  I studied Labor Economics at the University of Missouri, because of my pride in him.  His son, my Father, Robert, was drafted during the Korean Conflict.  He reported as expected.  He was ready to serve,  he did not pass the physical and was released.  He, also, was a Patriot in the Democratic Party sense of the 50's and 60's.  They both followed the American Dream, protected by those serving our great country.  It is my family that gives me the optimism to expect that "freedom will not perish from the earth". 

The one thing in our culture that means the most is our undying belief in freedom and liberty.  As long as we believe something can be done, it will.  Adolf Hitler found out in WWII, as did the Emporer of Japan, and the rest of the Axis powers.  The Kaisser in WWI, and Osama Bin Laden more recently.  We believe in normality of our lives.  I remember watching the World Trade Center on fire and collapsing on the TV.  At some point after the second tower fell , my reaction was to not let the bastards win, and I went to work with a heavy heart, but also a mission to not let these terrorists kill our American Dream.

So shop today, swim, camp, bike, hike, or bar-b-que.  Enjoy life purchased with the Patriots Blood.  And tonight as you drift off to sleep think about how lucky we all are, if religious say a little prayer.  Make a comment here to remember your heros, and perhaps a brief story as to why they are heros.  And make that vow to keep pursueing the American Dream, through all challenges whether economic or war.  Say to the world:  I am an American, get used to it!

Thank You!